A young Bangladeshi scholar has brought immense global pride to his homeland by securing first place at the prestigious 46th King Abdulaziz International Quran Competition in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

The extraordinary achievement of Hafez Nur Uddin Zakaria, a native of Bauphal Upazila, sent waves of jubilation through his home village on Thursday. The official results, announced on Wednesday evening, revealed that Zakaria triumphed in the fourth category of the international contest, outperforming hundreds of elite competitors representing one hundred and thirty-three nations.

Nur Uddin Zakaria is the son of Maulana Nurul Amin and Ianur Begum, residents of Chandkathi village within the Dhulia Union. He is the middle child in a family comprising two sisters and one brother. His journey into Quranic scholarship began at the tender age of six, when his maternal uncle, Hafez Qari Mohammad Rahmat Ullah, brought him to Dhaka. There, he enrolled in the hifz department of a local madrassah and successfully memorised the entire Holy Quran through dedicated study and rigorous practice.

Seeking to pursue higher religious and academic education, Zakaria later enrolled at Al-Raihan International Madrasah in Demra, Dhaka, to complete his Alia degree. While studying at this institution, he prepared for and secured selection to represent Bangladesh on the international stage in Saudi Arabia, ultimately clinching the top global honour.

Competing at such an elite international level requires far more than sheer memorisation; it demands flawless recitation rules, precise pronunciation, and supreme composure under intense pressure. Local leaders and community members expressed immense pride in his accomplishment. Dhulia Union Parishad Acting Chairman Zahirul Islam remarked that the magnitude of the joy is difficult to put into words, noting that the entire community shares in the young scholar’s triumph. Huzaifa Islam, a local youth social worker, added that Zakaria’s historic victory serves as an inspiring role model for the younger generation, encouraging future youth to excel in Quranic studies.

Prominent figures also rushed to extend their congratulations. Dr Shafiqul Islam Masud, Member of Parliament for the Patuakhali-2 (Bauphal) constituency, issued an official statement celebrating the victory. He praised Zakaria for bringing global recognition to Bauphal and commended his dedication across the international arena.

The news of Zakaria’s victory has transformed Chandkathi village into a festive gathering place, with neighbours and relatives visiting his family home to offer felicitations. His remarkable journey—from a young boy leaving his village to study in Dhaka to a world-champion Hafiz in Makkah—stands as a shining milestone for Bangladeshi youth on the global stage.

What preparations and training methods typically help young scholars succeed at elite international Quran competitions?